Executive Branch: President, Vice-President and the Cabinet (2409)

Department of Defense [di'pa:tmənt əv di'fens] – министерство обороны

Department of Treasury ['tre əri] – министерство финансов

Department of Interior [in'tiəriə] – министерство внутренних дел

Department of Justice ['d tis] – министерство юстиции

Department of Commerce [kə'mə:s] – министерство торговли

Department of Labor – министерство труда

Department of Health and Human Services – Министерство здравоохранения и социального обеспечения

Housing and Urban Development – министерство жилищного строительства и городского развития

National Security Council – Совет национальной безопасности

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) – Центральное разведывательное управление (ЦРУ)

National Aeronautic & Space Administration (NASA) [,eərə'no:tiks] – Национальное управление по аэронавтике и управлению космическим пространством

The executive branch, which includes the President, Vice-president and the Cabinet consisting of Secretaries of the executive departments, is responsible for administering and executing the laws.

The President of the United States is elected every four years to a four-year term of office, with no more than two full terms allowed. The President is elected directly by the voters (through state electors). He must be a native-born citizen at least 35 years old and live in the U.S. for not less than 14 years. The U.S. President is the head of the state and the government, and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. He makes foreign policy, approves or vetoes laws, appoints judges, advisors and ambassadors, he can pardon a person for a federal crime (give amnesty).

The term of office of the President begins on the 2nd of January. Presidential elections are held in two stages – in November and December. Before the elections the candidates for Presidency tour the country, meeting people and delivering speeches.

Inauguration always takes place on the 20^th of January. It is connected with some traditions. President gives dinner on the eve in honour of the President elected and to conduct him threw the White House. The ceremony consisted of the taking of an oath by the President and the delivering of his Inaugural speech. The ceremony ends in a military parade.

If the President dies, or resigns, or can't work, the Vice-President becomes President. So, the qualifications for Vice-President are the same as for the President.

Within the Executive Branch, there are 14 executive departments. These are: the Departments of State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Education, Energy, and Veteran Affairs. Each department is established by law and is responsible for a specific area. The heads of the executive departments are Cabinet members, they are appointed by the President. These appointments, however, must be approved by the Senate. All the Secretaries of the executive departments make up the Cabinet and are Presidential assistants and advisers.

There are many independent agencies in the executive branch. They are independent because they are not part of any executive department. Some agencies and their responsibilities are:

1. Environmental protection Agency (EPA) helps to stop the pollution.

2. National Security Council (NSC) assesses and appraises objectives, commitments and risks of the USA in interests of national security.

3. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) coordinates intelligence activities by making commendations to the NSC.

4. National Aeronautic & Space Administration (NASA) plans the space program.

5. U.S. Postal Service delivers mail.

6. Commission Civil Rights helps stop discrimination.

Check your comprehension.

1. Who does the Executive branch include? 2. How many executive departments are there in the Cabinet? 3. What is the most important executive department? 4. Who appoints or elects the heads of the executive departments? 5. Who are Secretaries of the executive departments? 6. What agencies are there in the executive branch? Name some of them. 7. What qualifications should a person have to be elected the President of the U.S.? 8. How often is the President elected? 9. What are the functions of the President? 10. Why do the Americans have a Vice-President?

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